What can biology tell us about the future of AI? Dan Riskin explains

Register to attend How to Thrive in the Brave New World of Artificial Intelligence.
The magnitude of change we're seeing with artificial intelligence feels unprecedented—but it’s not. For billions of years, biological systems have faced their own trials of uncertainty and change, many of which echo the patterns we’re seeing today. As a result, Mother Nature has evolved ways not just to survive change, but to thrive in it—and if we pay attention, there’s a lot we can learn.
That’s the theme of an upcoming talk at Royal Roads University, titled How to Thrive in the Brave New World of Artificial Intelligence with Dan Riskin, renowned evolutionary biologist, award-winning television presenter, and bestselling author.
Whether we realize it or not, AI has become an ever-present entity in our lives. Smartphones and computers come with a built-in AI tool in the form of a “digital assistant,” like Siri or Cortana. Google now provides an “AI Overview” at the top of Google search results, which pulls together information from across the web to give a brief answer to your search query. AI-generated images and videos can be found on every social media platform.
Some workplaces are beginning to look at how AI tools can be used to expedite tasks, increase productivity and create efficiencies in their systems. It’s unlikely anyone will be able to avoid the age of AI.
So, if we can’t beat AI, how do we learn to work with it effectively?
In his upcoming perspective-shifting talk, Riskin will use his extensive knowledge of biology and evolution to provide a roadmap of what to expect from the future of AI. By understanding the predictable milestones that emerge from evolution, and using them to guide your AI strategy, you can seize the power of evolutionary change to come out ahead.
Riskin, a trained biologist and world-renowned expert on bat biomechanics, has built his career around science outreach. He is best known as the former host of Daily Planet on The Discovery Channel. Today, Riskin appears on television and radio multiple times each week, except when he’s leading wildlife tours in far-flung places like Borneo, the Amazon, or the Galapagos Islands. He’s a frequent guest on CTV Morning Live Vancouver, CTV NewsChannel, and CTV National News, and has hosted documentaries for National Geographic, The Science Channel, CBC, W5, and more. Riskin is also the author of two bestselling books, Mother Nature is Trying to Kill You and the beloved children’s book, Fiona the Fruit Bat. He also publishes a popular science newsletter, The Bat Signal.
How to Thrive in the Brave New World of Artificial Intelligence is also a part of the annual Royal Roads University Alumni Weekend. To purchase a ticket for the entire weekend’s agenda—including Dan Riskin’s talk—visit the Alumni Weekend page.